Final Four teams that lost in conference tourneys

[Thomas_Sutpen]

NCAA champions

2009: UNC lost to FSU
2005: UNC lost to Georgia Tech
2003: Syracuse lost to UConn
2002: Maryland lost to NC State

Final Four Teams

2009: UNC lost to FSU
2009: Michigan State lost to Ohio State
2009: UConn lost to Syracuse
2009: Villanova lost to Louisville
In 2009 NONE of the FF teams won their conference tourneys

In 2008 all of the FF teams won their conference tourneys

2007: UCLA lost to Cal

2006: LSU lost to Florida
2006: George Mason lost to Hofstra

2005: UNC lost to Georgia Tech
2005: Michigan State lost to Iowa

2004: Georgia Tech lost to Duke
2004: Duke lost to Maryland

2003: Syracuse lost to UConn
2003: Kansas lost to Missouri
2003: Texas lost to Texas Tech
2003: Marquette lost to UAB
In 2003 NONE of the FF teams won their conference tourneys

2002: Maryland lost to NC State
2002: Indiana lost to Iowa
2002: Kansas lost to Oklahoma

What does all this mean for GU? Not much. Most of these other teams play in better conferences and are more likely to lose in conference tourneys. The exceptions are George Mason (Colonial) & Marquette (C-USA in 2003).

On the other hand, this limited sample (back to 2001-2002 season--the only stats I had on hand) shows that plenty of teams lose in their conference tourneys and go on to great things in the NCAAs.

Food for thought.

[gamagin]

excellent point,

and timely, too. Anything can happen.


thanks,

[Pleasant Peninsula]

What does all this mean for GU? Not much.

Bingo.

[Reborn]

I think this is a very good statistic, and it's often talked about during tournament play. I have always found it to be interesting that so many teams do not win their conference tournament and do quite well in the Big Dance in March Madness. Last year Carolina's point guard, Ty Lawson, had a pretty bad foot I think, and they lost without him in their conference tournament. He came back and played great in the NCAA tournament, and that foot seemed to get better each game. I think the same could be said about Matt Bouldin. And if Steven and Elias have been injured the long rest really could help them. GU did not look like GU against St Mary's, and injured players could have really made the difference. Matt especially has been way off his game, and if he has been injured maybe he can heal up and return to his old self the way that Ty Lawson did.

[MDABE80]

Whatta post!! Where did you find this stuff!! Good one Thomas!!
For some reason, it made me laugh.

[lothar98zag]

I'm sure there are other stats that will show you GU has zero chance of a FF, but it is nice to at least see the above written out as a reminder.

[rijman]

The last game doesn't mean much

Great information Thomas. It reminds me that the last game doesn't mean much. If the Zags had blown out the Gaels in the WCC tourney final it wouldn't be a precursor to how they would play their next game.

[titopoet]

What does all this mean for GU? Not much. Most of these other teams play in better conferences and are more likely to lose in conference tourneys. The exceptions are George Mason (Colonial) & Marquette (C-USA in 2003).

The only quipple I have with this analysis is the Marquette (C-USA in 2003) not being from a better conference. During that season C-USA was a major conference. It was before the Big East raided the league of most of its top teams, Cincinnati, Louisville, South Florida, DePaul, and Marquette in 2005.

Good Stuff none the less.